[Updated at 10:30 p.m. ET] A man who helped subdue the gunman in Saturday's Arizona shooting spree said the man was trying to reload when he was tackled to the ground.

"He was ready for war. He was not playing around," Joe Zamudio told CNN. "He was going to keep shooting. It was not over. He had just ran out of bullets."

The gun, which another bystander had wrestled from the gunman, was empty and cocked open, and the shooter had another magazine at the ready, Zamudio said.

Zamudio pinned him to the ground until police showed up. The suspect, 22-year-old Jared Lee Loughner, is in custody of the Pima County Sheriff's Office, and authorities are obtaining search warrants for a residence and his vehicle. Authorities also are seeking a person of interest but his suspected connection to the incident is unclear.

Loughner is accused of shooting 18 people, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, a third-term Democrat who had organized the "Congress on Your Corner" meet and greet. Authorities believe the gunman had specifically targeted Giffords. She is in critical condition after undergoing surgery for a single gunshot wound to the head, but doctors said they¬†are optimistic over her prospects for recovery.

Eleven others were wounded in the shooting and six are dead, among them U.S. District Court Judge John Rolls, a friend of Giffords' who had stopped by the event to say hello after attending Mass, Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik said.

The shooting sent shock waves through Washington, where Giffords was regarded as gracious and kind, a moderate Democrat known for her dedication to her constituents and willingness to work across party lines.

In light of the shootings, all legislation on the House schedule for the coming week has been postponed, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor announced in a statement.

"This has not become the nice United States of America that most of us grew up in and¬†I think its time we do the soul-searching," he said.

"The anger, the hatred the bigotry that goes on in this country is getting to be outrageous and unfortunately, Arizona has become the capital. We have become the mecca of prejudice and bigotry."

[Updated at 10:00 p.m. ET] A House vote scheduled for Monday on whether to repeal health care legislation has been postponed after Saturday's shooting.

All legislation on the House schedule for the coming week has been postponed in¬†a decision by leaders of both political parties in the House so "we can take whatever actions may be necessary in light of today's tragedy," House Majority Leader Eric Cantor said in a statement.

[Updated at 8:55 p.m. ET] A¬† law enforcement source familiar with the investigation says the Glock model 19 used in the shootings was purchased legally.¬†The official did not have details at this time as to when and where the gun was purchased.

The gun was loaded with a 30-round magazine. The official said it is likely the extended magazine used in the shooting¬† was purchased separately and at a different time. The official said such a magazine does not automatically come with a weapons purchase and that it would be extremely rare for them to be sold together in one purchase.

The official said the suspect had purchased another gun a few years ago but this person did not know the details about what happened to that weapon and if the alleged shooter still owned it.

Law enforcement is actively searching for a "person of interest" who is¬†a white male in his 50s believed to have assisted the suspect in a shooting, Dupnik said.

A suspect who Dupnik would not name is in the custody of the Pima County Sheriff's Office, he said. The suspect¬†has had previous contact with law enforcement "regarding threats" to kill, Dupnik said, and described him as having a "troubled past."

"There's reason to believe this individual has a mental issue and I think that people who are unbalanced are especially susceptible to vitriol," he said.

"Vitriol" in public debate was a recurring theme in Dupnik's remarks as he blasted the media for "the vitriolic rhetoric" heard on television and radio.

[Updated at 7:57 p.m. ET] Gabe Zimmerman, director of community outreach for U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, was among those killed in Saturday's shooting at a constituents meeting outside¬†a Tucson Safeway, Gifford press secretary CJ Karamargin said.

Zimmerman was the staff member who set up today‚Äôs event in Giffords‚Äô district, Karamargin said.¬†The¬†Tucson native was engaged to be married.

[Updated at 7:43 p.m. ET] The Army said in a statement that the suspect in the shooting was never in the Army.

"He attempted to enlist in the Army but was rejected for service.¬† In accordance with the Privacy Act, we will not discuss why he was rejected," the Army said in a statement.

[Updated at 7:21 p.m. ET] Jared Lee Loughner, the suspect, had a limited presence on social-media sites, including YouTube and MySpace. Here's a sampling of some of the messages that CNN found on Loughner's pages:

[Updated at 7:12 p.m. ET] The University of Arizona's men's basketball¬†game against Stanford University¬†has been postponed following the shootings.

"The University feels the game should be delayed with deep respect to the victims and families impacted by this tragedy," Arizona athletics director Greg Byrne said.

The game will be played at 12:30 p.m. MST Sunday.

[Updated at 6:48 p.m. ET] Saturday's deadly shootings at an Arizona constituency meeting outside a Tucson Safeway appear to have ‚Äúno nexus to terrorism," a law enforcement official said.

This official did not know if there had been any recent threat against Rep Giffords but said there are frequent threats to various members of Congress, mostly via phone¬† calls or e-mails, or mailed threats.

[Updated at 6:30 p.m. ET] U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts released this statement on the death of U.S. District Court Chief Judge John Roll, who was killed in the shootings:

"Chief Judge John Roll was a wise jurist who selflessly served Arizona and the nation with great distinction, as attorney and judge, for more than 35 years.¬† I express my deepest condolences to his wife Maureen and his children, as well as the other victims and their families.¬† Chief Judge Roll‚Äôs death is a somber reminder of the importance of the rule of law and the sacrifices of those who work to secure it."

[Updated at 6:16 p.m. ET] The Tea Party released this statement regarding the shootings:

‚ÄúWe at the Tea Party Express are shocked and saddened to hear about the terrible tragedy that took place in Tucson today. It is appalling that anyone would commit such unthinkable violence against Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford, her staff, a sitting federal judge and the many other victims and families impacted.

"These heinous crimes have no place in America, and they are especially grievous when committed against our elected officials. Spirited debate is desirable in our country, but it only should be the clash of ideas.¬† An attack on anyone for political purposes, if that was a factor in this shooting, is an attack on the democratic process.¬† We join with everyone in vociferously condemning it."

[Updated at 5:41 p.m. ET] ÔĽŅÔĽŅÔĽŅWho is Gabrielle Giffords? She's¬†a Democrat who¬†was first elected in 2006. She has served as chairwoman of the House Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee and also holds seats on the House Science and Technology and Armed Services committees.

She won her third term in a closely contested race against a Tea Party-sponsored candidate and was one of three Democratic legislators who reported vandalism at their offices following the March vote on health care reform.

She is married to Navy Capt. Mark Kelly, a NASA astronaut who is scheduled to lead a space shuttle mission to the International Space Station. The two married in 2007, after meeting four years prior in China, as young leaders selected by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, Giffords told the New York Times in her wedding announcement.

The article described their courtship as a drawn-out affair between two deeply committed civic servants who slowly found their way to each other. When they met, Giffords was seeing someone and Kelly was married.

After Giffords split from her boyfriend, she invited Kelly to join her on a tour of the Arizona State Prison in Florence.

"I‚Äôd been working on legislation dealing with capital punishment. Mark is the son of police officers ‚ÄĒ well, he just really wanted to sit in ‚Äėthe chair,' " she told the newspaper.

The two married three years later, they married at an organic produce farm in Amado, Arizona, called Agua Linda. An avid recycler, Giffords wore a Vera Wang gown borrowed from a friend.

"To a bride who moves at a velocity that exceeds that of anyone else in Washington, and a groom who moves at a velocity that exceeds 17,000 miles per hour," a wedding guest said in a toast to the couple.

"I am just heartbroken. Gabby (Giffords) is more than just¬†a colleague she is a friend. She has always been a noble public servant," an emotional Brewer said, pausing for composure.

"I ask the people of Arizona and the people of America to keep the victims and their families in their prayers, and pray for their recovery and pray that in Arizona we never have to experience a tragedy like this ever again."

Giffords¬†publicized the "Congress on Your Corner" meet-up at the Safeway in her southern Arizona district on her Twitter account.

Judge John Roll, the chief judge on the U.S. District Court for Arizona,¬†was among 6 people killed, along with a 9-year-old girl, officials said.

Witnesses said the gunman shot Giffords at point blank range through the head and then continued firing. The suspect, identified by law enforcement sources as¬†Jared Lee Loughner, has been taken into custody.

[Updated at 4:52 p.m. ET] Chief Judge John Roll was among 6 people killed at an Arizona constituent meeting outside a Tucson grocery store Saturday.

[Updated at 4:30 p.m. ET] The suspect in a shooting at an Arizona¬†constituent meeting outside a Tucson grocery story is a white male born in 1988, CNN's Jeanne Meserve has confirmed from a federal law enforcement source.

Six people have died, including a 9-year-old girl,¬†and 12 were injured,¬†including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords,¬†authorities said.

[Updated at 4:07 p.m. ET] Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is in critical condition and¬†a young child has died after a shooting at a political meeting at an Arizona grocery store, a hospital spokesman said Saturday.

Giffords, who was hosting the event, is under anesthesia after undergoing surgery for a single gunshot wound to the head "through and through," said Dr. Peter Rhee, Trauma Director at the University Medical Center in Tucson.

"The Congresswoman is not deceased. She is in critical condition," Rhee said in a press conference. "I am very optimistic about recovery."

Giffords publicized the "Congress on Your Corner" meet-up at the Safeway in her southern Arizona district on her Twitter account.

[Updated at 3:40 p.m. ET] Six people have died and 12 - including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords - were injured in a shooting at a political meeting at a¬†Tucson, Arizona, grocery store Saturday, according to Rick Kastigar of the Pima County Sheriff's Department.

[Updated at 3:20 p.m. ET] A suspect is in custody in¬†the shootings of at least 12 people, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords,¬†at a constituent meeting at an Arizona grocery store, the U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement.

"The suspect is in custody. No further details on the motive or other victims are available at this time," the statement said. "The U.S. Capitol Police are directly involved in this investigation. As more information is developed, it will be provided. In the interim, all Members and staff are advised to take reasonable and prudent precautions regarding their personal security."

A statement from President Obama confirmed that some people had died.

"This morning, in an unspeakable tragedy, a number of Americans were shot in Tucson, Arizona, at a constituent meeting with Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.¬† And while we are continuing to receive information, we know that some have passed away, and that Representative Giffords is gravely wounded," he said.

"We do not yet have all the answers.¬† What we do know is that such a senseless and terrible act of violence has no place in a free society.¬† I ask all Americans to join me and Michelle in keeping Representative Giffords, the victims of this tragedy, and their families in our prayers."

[Updated at 3:00 p.m. ET] Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is currently undergoing surgery for a gunshot wound to the head, a spokeswoman for the University Medical Center in Tucson said.

Nine patients were brought to the hospital, including a child. All of them are in either serious or critical condition and are undergoing surgery, spokeswoman Darci Slaten said.

A federal judge was also among those shot, a law enforcement official said.¬†It is not clear whether he was among those¬†taken to the hospital.

[Updated at 2:43 p.m. ET] There were conflicting reports Saturday about the condition of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords following a shooting Saturday at a Tucson, Arizona, grocery store. Giffords' press secretary said the congresswoman remains in surgery for her injuries, disputing an earlier report from a law enforcement source saying she had died.

[Updated at 2:23 p.m. ET] U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords died Saturday after a gunman opened fire at a Tucson, Arizona grocery store, a law enforcement source said. Giffords, who had been holding a meeting with constituents, was among at least 12 people shot.

[Updated at 1:51 p.m. ET] U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was among at least 12 people shot at a Tucson, Arizona, grocery store, a Democratic source told CNN's Dana Bash. The source called her injuries "pretty serious."

[Updated at 1:41 p.m. ET] U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords was meeting with constituents at a Safeway grocery store in Tucson, Arizona, where at least 12 people were injured in a shooting shortly after 10 a.m. MST Saturday, a spokesman for the Pima County sheriff's Department said. It is unclear whether Giffords was among those hurt.

"Several" people were shot Saturday at a grocery store in Tucson,
Arizona, a spokesman for the Pima County Sheriff's Department said. No other details were immediately available.

soundoff(1,655 Responses)

Dr. Osbert Haro

I am ashamed to listen to you all comments and no one not anyone talks about gun control reform. We absolutely have no need for guns nor the need to sell them at the rate we are selling them now. The policy of selling guns must be reformed. I myself have thought about and god has given a good plan for this reform. But nontheless if we listen our gun in the streets then we have have no reason to defend ourselves at home. Who are we trying to kill or what are we trying to pretend. We already a very powerful army we dont need to prove this at home. Think all the crimes that have been commited have never been stopped by the opposite party by the use of his gun. It seems like they have always been unexpected crimes. Please gun control is necessary no matter what.

As some one who lives in very rural Maine, I could not disagree more with your statement. Maine even though a very liberal state in recent years, has some of the most liberal gun laws. I can open carry here if I desired too, no permit required and we have one of the safest states in the Union per FBI statistics. Interesting that most States very stringent gun control laws are on the more dangerous side of those statisitics.

Not the topic here though, lets prey for the Congressman. Latest news says she is stillin surgery and not dead as earlier reported.

Doc....it is folks like you that will be crying when you're running for your life with no means of defense. Guns do not kill people, people kill people. Swimming pools don't drown kids or are you advocating we outlaw them too?

You Sir, are an idiot....Guns don't kill people, people kill people....OMG somebody died in an auto accident today, we have got to ban cars, ban the damn things, ban them I say...Your argument is so weak I want to hurl, you have something for that doc?

Up over the border we are not allowed to pack our automatic weapons to the grocery store. The America we admire
should be more concerned about internal wackos and out-of-touch gun laws ...... more dangerous than external threats !

Why all the speculation without knowing any facts? I have been watching and reading about this and still I know no facts...not even one! Maybe we should wait to maybe find one fact before flying off the handle...oh well you won't and I know that to be fact.

EVERYDAY ACROSS AMERICA THIS HAPPENS 24/7, WHEN PEOPLE GET ANGRY.JUST ASK ANY HOMICIDE DET. SUPRISINGLY, IT IS A RARITY AMONG POLITICALS. I'M NOT SUPRISED THIS HAS HAPPENED. I AM SUPRISED IT DOES NOT HAPPEN MORE OFTEN. PEOPLE ARE HUNGRY, HOMELESS, NO MONEY IN THEIR POCKET, NO HOPE, CAN'T SEE A DOCTOR, THEIR FAMILIES, AND FRIENDS ARE DYING. IN THE MEANTIME, THE POLITICALS GOT THE BEST INSURANCES, WARM, SAFE HOMES, FOOD IN THEIR STOMACHES, AND HEALTHY BANK ACCOUNTS.

I'VE NEVER VOTED IN MY LIFE, ALL ONE HAS TO DO IS WATCH CNN TO SEE ITS A FARCE. THE COMMON MAN, WOMAN, AND CHILD MEAN MEAN VERY LITTLE. BIG BUSINESS, BIG MONEY, THATS WHATS IMPORTANT. JUST ASK THE TANMAN, HE WAS GIVING OUT CHECKS FOR BIG TOBACCO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, NOW HE IS THE SPEAKER. THE LIST GOES ON. WE AS CITIZENS OF THIS PLANET ARE GUARANTEED NOTHING BUT THE AIR WE BREATH. ANYTHING ELSE, GET IT HOW YOU CAN. DON'T GET ANGRY AT THE POLITICALS, YOU PEOPLE VOTED THEM IN.

People like Sarah Palin and all of the other right wing loonies who have encouraged such violence should be held accountable. They've been preaching this type of action over and over the past few years through various winks and nods in the media.

Knock off the ignorance. You want to point blame take a peak at our current situation. We are on the verge of bankruptcy, we can't get facts straigth, we are lied to and deceived by the white house daily, poverty at an all time high, gas prices over $3 a gallon, food prices outrageous, and people are fed up. Look at the white houses policies for the past few years and look at what it has gotten us. We are a represented people by elected officials and we have been laughed at, ignored, deemed pawns, called names, ridiculed, and they have done the opposite of what we have been screaming. This is a tragic event and this administration, rather than going down the road that we need to control guns, control internet, control banks, control car manufacturers, control the radio, control what we eat, control healthcare, control everything, they simply need to listen to the majority of Americans and quit spending our darn money. You want control, go control NPR announcing Giffords was shot to death but now I'm reading that she is in critical condition and in surgery. Let's pray for her recovery and let's pray that our country gets back on a manageable track.

"..have encouraged violence?" who encourages violence???? how closed minded is that comment? I dont care what ones politics are, but learn what somebody really stands for. A terrible terrible situation has just happenned in Arizona from obviously a deranged individual. Quit politicizing the actions of horrible individuals, no matter which political figures are affected by such gruesomeness.

Mike, you are so right about Sarah, I would include Glen Beck, Rush, and quite a few of the newly elected tea party all preach violet over throw of the government. Proof positive is that SARAPAC has just removed her gun sight target map from their website all of a sudden "too late". These people need to held accountable as they are to blame.

Mike, I hope that "we the people" will finally mobilize against all the political sect that only seeks to divide us all. They have done so well in the past. Will we ever see the light; most are not elected for us but for their own personnel gain or financial enhancement. Americans simply have to understand the division and hate being thrust upon us by or so called elected officials.

This is very sad news and my thoughts go out to her friends, family, and fellow members of Congress.

On another note: I do need to mention that I am not a regular viewer of CNN anymore; mainly due to the ANTICS displayed today by putting that CRACKPOT, CARTOONIST on to spew his drivel disguised as "respected journalism". The only bright side is when the NUTJOB, David Fitzsimmons, decided to "come clean" when the CNN employee referred to him as a "journalist" with the correction of "....I'm a cartoonist/opinion writer, not a journalist. You'll get no unbiased truth from me."

REALLY, CNN? REALLY!? I would think that during this tragic incident you would have the ability, or the competent staff knowledge, to VET YOUR SOURCES BEFORE YOU PUT THEM ON THE AIR!!!!!!! This blemish is COMPLETELY disrespectful not only to Rep. Giffords, but to the viewing audience. And furthermore, for this CARTOONIST to repeatedly use the word "SURVIVED" when speaking of the recent election win of Rep. Giffords, during a "Breaking News" segment of her passing, is a further testament to the shameless ignorance of this CARTOONIST (not "journalist").

David Fitzsimmons should really sit down and do a few things in the near future:
1 – Brush up on the English language and buy a thesaurus.
2 – Realize that there is "a time and a place" for everything; this is neither the time, nor the place, to try to place BLAME on the "rabid Right". (His quoted words, not mine.)
3 – Become aware that his "enjoying guns from time to time" statement, followed by criticism of gun ownership in Arizona by calling it a "fetish", is COMPLETELY contradictory!.........(see Part 1 for further action regarding this part.)
and finally
4 – Stick to what you know: DRAWING CARTOONS, not commenting on the tragic death of a United States Congresswoman!

Does anybody realize that most guns used in violence like this are illegal in the first place?? Nobody buys a gun outright, registers it, & goes on a killing spree like this. Do you want to be defenseless when a street-bought gun visits your house or neighborhood???

NorCalGal: Do you realize that the vast majority of illegal guns started out as legal guns? Making it nearly impossible to own a legal handgun would dry up the number of illegal handguns. And even ignoring the fact that the most likely victim of a home defense weapon is the homeowner, you don't need handguns for home defense. In fact, probably the best home defense weapon is a small gauge shotgun. Most people are unable to hit their target in a home invasion scenario; the wide pattern of a shotgun would increase the odds of hitting the victim. You would be a fool to shoot with any weapon if someone in your family was anywhere in your field of view, so if you're harboring dreams of picking off a rapist's head as he holds your loved one hostage, forget it. A handgun's value is concealment, which is not a factor in home defense. So ban handguns and defend your home with a shotgun. Best possible solution.

What a sad day in America. Leaders are placed by God whether you believe this or not.As a 6th generation American, I have to say that a person who commits murder does not know the value of life. Too bad this gunman did not take his own first.

IRONY: According to sources EVERYWHERE, this woman has always been a very strong supporter of gun rights and gun ownership. She even said that gun ownership was part of Arizona's traditions. How ironic !
Hmmm I wonder what she would say now if she had survived ?

Well, we all knew this would happen. With-in the extreme right divisive "second amendment remedies" to the Govenor Brewer;s 'DEATH PANELS OF ARIZONA" Taking away benefits for life saving organ transplants. It is really soooooooo
sad the innocent pay the ultimate price for the far right politics of Arizona's govenor.

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